For years Ky Hurst dreamed of competing in the Olympics, but a lack of focus curtailed his early attempts to make it to the Games. Now, thanks to a win in the 10-kilometre open-water race at the marathon swimming world cup in London on Sunday, he's one step closer.

At 26, Hurst has been on the ironman circuit for more than 10 years, but made the decision last year to focus on long-distance open-water swimming, hoping to make it to Beijing where it is on the program for the first time.